Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has guaranteed that he won’t be sacked this year, declaring himself as the right man to lead the AFL club forward.

Dockers fans have been quick to vent their anger in the wake of Saturday’s 91-point derby loss to West Coast, with some calling for Lyon to be axed.

Lyon is contracted until the end of next year and is keen to stay on as coach even beyond then.

The 13th-year coach said he would be comfortable if Fremantle held out on opening up contract talks with him until next year.

Three losses on the trot have left Fremantle’s finals hopes on thin ice.

The nature of the recent losses to Carlton and the Eagles have raised major concerns.

But Lyon believes he remains the Dockers’ best coaching option, and says Fremantle’s improvement this year meant there was no legitimate reason for him to be sacked.

“I can guarantee you I’ll be around,” Lyon replied when asked if he thinks he’ll be Fremantle’s coach next year.

“My performance dictates we’ll be around. We’re a rebuilding team. We’re 7-8.

“Three weeks ago I was being lauded. I never fell for it then, and I’m not falling for it now.”

Despite the hysteria surrounding the western derby loss, Fremantle have made significant strides in 2019.

The Dockers won just eight games last season and were beaten by 50 or more points on nine occasions.

This year, Fremantle have already notched seven wins and have suffered just one blowout loss – the humiliation to West Coast.

Their next biggest loss was the 25-point defeat to Richmond.

Road wins against Collingwood and GWS have highlighted Fremantle’s potential, but injuries to Matt Taberner, Rory Lobb, Alex Pearce, Stephen Hill, and Jesse Hogan have hurt their cause.

“We’re a young group that’s emerging. We’re clearly on track and building a great platform,” Lyon said.

“We’ll only get better again next year… If we don’t measure (our progress) on the body of work, it is nonsensical, and it is hysterical.”

Social media has been in overdrive over Lyon’s future.

Lyon said the emergence of Twitter and Instagram had created a few “interesting rabbit holes”.

“I’ve heard the noise. I think it’s just hyperbole,” he said.

“My wife has a look and says, ‘You know most of them are West Coast supporters’.”

Fremantle face a season-defining clash with Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday.

Ruckman Aaron Sandilands (rested) will be replaced by Sean Darcy, while Stephen Hill (hamstring) is a chance to return.